From left are David Markley CEO of the state hospital; Lee Shields, greenhouse volunteer, Dave Martin, head volunteer, Samantha Whitaker, state hospital volunteer coordinator, and greenhouse volunteers Julie Greenland and Ruth Morrison.

ALLEGHENY GREENHOUSE

VOLUNTEERS GIVE BACK

It’s not often you hear about a group of people that volunteer hours and hours of their time to grow wonderful plants all so that they can give back to their community.

But that is exactly what the dedicated volunteers accomplished this year with the Allegheny Greenhouse that is located on the grounds of the State Hospital. Thanks to their efforts the following organizations received “surprise” donations from the Allegheny Greenhouse project to be used towards worthy-and much needed- local causes: State Hospital Indigent Patient Fund, Experience, Inc. your Area Agency on Aging for their Nutrition Program, A Sharing Place, where meals are provided for those in need; Russell United Methodist, toward their food pantry; Cozy Quilts, which makes quilts for cancer patients; Kane Ramp Ministry, building ramps for those in need; and Northern Allegheny Outdoor Women’s Association WOW.

The Greenhouse volunteers would like to thank the State Hospital for allowing them the use of the Greenhouse and Experience Inc. Area Agency on Aging for supporting them too. And a very special “thank you” to all the residents in Warren County who bought plants at the Allegheny Greenhouse this year. You helped to support our community and make a difference! If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the Greenhouse, call the Allegheny Community Center at 814-723-4180.

REGULAR LIBRARY NEWS

Library Angel Fundraiser: Youngsville Library’s 15th annual “Library-Angel” fundraiser is happening now through Friday, Dec. 22.

What makes this fundraiser a bit different is that donors have the option to determine what their donation(s) will be used towards when they complete the Library-Angel donation form. To become a Library Angel just stop by the Youngsville Library during business hours or visit our library’s homepage at YoungsvilleLibrary.org and click on the Library Angel Tree link. From our website you can print and complete a downloadable form which you can either mail to the library or place in our secure drop–box (which is open 24/7). All donations received via the library drop-box and by mail will receive a phone call confirmation to let you know that your donation was received. You can also mail your Library Angel donation (without a form) to: Youngsville Public Library c/o Library Angel Program, 100 Broad Street, Youngsville, PA 16371. Please be sure to include the name you would like to be placed on the Angel (and if it is in memoriam or in honor of someone). Regular business hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thank you to our most recent Library Angels who made donations towards the following annual library needs: Towards software update costs: Ellen Jedermann

Wish-list book: Annette Sivak; In Memory of D. Luther by Tim and Stephanie Maze;

Children’s Books: In memory of Jack and Marilyn Brown from Joni Owens;

Towards Security System Costs: In Honor of Cami, Shawn, and Paula and Cory, Shelby, and Caitlin by Rhonda Craig;

Kids Programming: In Honor of Johnny Barran from Brenda Dunn;

Toner costs for copier/printers: In Memory of Jim and Laura Thompson from Doug and Celia Thompson;

Toward Building Insurance Costs: In Memory of Connie Hoffman from Brenda Dunn;

Public Wi-Fi and internet costs: In Memory of Norm and Neva Hodgenboom from Doug and Celia Thompson;

Custodial supplies: Diane Sivak;

Book Processing Supplies (acid-free book covers, book tape, etc): In Honor of Herb and Jo Trask from Anneliese Haight and family;

Towards Utilities: In Memory of mom, dad, and Tom from Rhonda Craig; and

General Donations: Tori Kuzminski; In Honor of Loved Ones by Barb Luce; In Memory of Archie and Ethel Chalfant from Jane Hamblin.

Holiday Hours: The Youngsville Library will be closed Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Dec. 26. The library will be open Wednesday, Dec. 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., regular hours, Thursday Dec. 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for special holiday hours, and Friday, Dec. 29, for regular hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The next Wi-Fi Wednesday (free walk-in cell phone and tablet help) event will be Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 5 to 6 p.m. There will be no Wi-Fi Wednesday in December. The next Sensory Story Time will be Tuesday, Jan. 23 from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Zonta donation site: Youngsville Public Library would like to thank everyone who donated items at the library in support of the Zonta Club of Warren’s drive to acquire personal care and hygiene products for women and girls escaping violence in Warren County. All donations from the Youngsville Library site and other five business sites are being distributed to local non-profits and agencies that support and assist women and girls who must escape violent situations.

BOROUGH NEWS

Commission Vacancies: There are vacancies on several Youngsville commissions, including the Planning Commission, Police Pension Commission, Recreation Commission and Zoning Board. Submit a letter of interest to Wendy Wilcox, borough manager, at wwilcox@youngsvilleboro.org or drop off (or mail) a letter of interest at the Borough Building.

Holiday hours: The Youngsville Borough Office and services will close at noon on Friday, Dec. 22, and will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26, for the Christmas Holiday. Monday garbage pick-up will be on Tuesday and Tuesday pick up will be on Wednesday.

2024 Boro Calendar: The 2024 Youngsville Borough holiday calendar is currently available. Hard copies are available at the borough office.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

Christmas Services: The following services are free and open to the general public: Youngsville Free Methodist Church, 179 Davis St. Wednesday at 6 p.m. the church will host its Blue Christmas service, followed by worship services at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday and Christmas Eve services at 6 and 8 p.m. Sunday. On Saturday, Jan. 13, the church will host praise and worship night at 6 p.m.

Pittsfield Otterbein Global Methodist Church, 258 Dalrymple St., will hold its worship service at 9 a.m. Sunday with its candlelight service at 9 p.m.

New Life Church, (18 Second St., Youngsville, will have its worship service at 11 a.m. Sunday and its candlelight service at 11 p.m.

Garland Bingo: Monday, Jan. 1, bingo starts at 6 p.m. with doors open at 4 p.m. The kitchen opens at 4 p.m. A $35 donation purchases all you can play on a regular card, which includes lucky number and layer cake jackpot. There’s also 50/50 giveaways and Power Play B-I-N-G-O.

Free Tax Assistance: If you are a senior or make less than $65,000 per year, you are eligible for the free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The first step to getting assistance involves picking up and completing an Intake Form and corresponding envelope to hold all necessary tax-related information (which is listed on an instruction sheet). The yellow Intake Forms and special envelope for all your tax documents will be available at the Allegheny Community Center (ACC) beginning January 24, 2024.

Once you have completed the required paperwork/intake form, followed the VITA checklist, and included all necessary materials in your special envelope you can then return everything to the Allegheny Community Center (42 Clark Street, Warren). The ACC is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come to the back-entrance ground floor, up the ramp and through the doors to reach the second floor. Staff members can then direct you towards the securely locked VITA bin. Call 814-723-4180 with questions.